Yamaha and 50+ Organizations Unite to Support Arts Education

Yamaha Corporation of America joined more than 50 other organizations to endorse the National Association for Music Education’s “Arts Education Is Essential” unified statement.

NAfME and all the endorsing organizations recognize the necessity for students to have access to arts education, which includes music, dance, theater, visual arts and media arts.

While teaching in the post-COVID-19 world may look different, Yamaha and the other organizations remain committed to supporting arts education, arts educators, community arts providers and, most importantly, arts students.

The arts were identified as part of a “well-rounded education” well before this pandemic, but as we read stories and watch videos from around the world about the healing and unifying power of music and the arts during these tough times, this designation is all the more meaningful.

The three driving principles of “Arts Education Is Essential” are:

1. “Arts education supports the social and emotional well-being of students, whether through distance learning or in person.” Not only do the arts emphasize team-building and self-reflection, it fosters collaboration, creativity, critical thinking and communication.
2. “Arts education nurtures the creation of a welcoming school environment where students can express themselves in a safe and positive way.” Through arts participation and partnerships among students, teachers and parents, an inclusive school and community are formed.
3. “Arts education is part of a well-rounded education for all students as understood and supported by federal and state policymakers.” Within the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA), music and the arts were repeatedly cited to be a part of a balanced education and federal funds are available to support arts education.

Read NAfME’s “Arts Education Is Essential” statement and the list of endorsing organizations here.

Yamaha is an active advocate for music education. We want to empower you as music educators to strengthen your programs in any way we can. Please register for the Yamaha Educator newsletter to read up on advocacy, professional development, instruments, resources, partnerships in education. Join the Yamaha Music Educator Community on Facebook. Email us at educators@yamaha.com.